Buying Guide To Any Medicinal Mushroom Product

Navigating the maze of supplement options - be it organic, non-GMO, locally sourced, or Australian-made - can leave us feeling lost and overwhelmed. All we desire is to boost our health, vitality, and happiness without being misled or exploited.

Unfortunately, the supplement and health industry is sometimes driven by profit rather than genuine concern for consumers' well-being. It's alarming to discover that many businesses prioritize their bottom line over consumer interests, cutting corners to maximize profits.

Transparency is often lacking when it comes to product quality and ingredient origins. So, it's crucial to identify trustworthy brands and companies, especially when considering medicinal mushroom supplements.

In some cases, companies may not be entirely at fault, as manufacturers or suppliers can also provide misleading information, complicating the process of bringing a quality product to market.

Many brands may choose to prioritize profits over transparency, employing dubious tactics to convince customers of their product's value. These tactics can include using low-quality ingredients and hiding behind "proprietary blends" to avoid revealing their formula.

Alarmingly, no one seems to be discussing these issues. Consumers remain unaware of the hidden ingredients in supplements and the potential absence of active ingredients that they're seeking in the first place.

The unsettling reality is that the mushroom industry is not exempt from these deceptive practices. It's essential to remember that not all medicinal mushroom products are made equal.

Stay informed and empower yourself by learning everything you need to know before purchasing any medicinal mushroom product, mushroom latte, or mushroom supplement.

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Considerable Things Before Buying Any Medicinal Mushroom Supplement

As health-conscious consumers, we are often bombarded with claims of miraculous benefits from medicinal mushrooms and adaptogens like Lion's Mane, Reishi, Chaga, and Cordyceps. This hype leaves us vulnerable to subpar products mixed with low-grade ingredients and marked up to exploit our desire for wellness.

But fear not! When enjoyed as a tea or mushroom latte, these medicinal mushrooms can indeed deliver remarkable health advantages.

Our mission in this article is to empower you with the knowledge to discern quality and avoid pitfalls when purchasing medicinal mushroom products.

Regrettably, many fall prey to enticing tales of health benefits from substandard mushroom powders due to insufficient information and education.

To help you make the best choice for your health, we will guide you through the murky waters of the medicinal mushroom industry by highlighting crucial factors to consider when selecting top-notch superfood mushroom products.

Armed with this knowledge, you'll be well-equipped to make an informed decision and find the perfect mushroom product to complement your healthy lifestyle.

Are Your Mushroom Products 100% Mushrooms?

It's crucial to understand how mushrooms are produced, as it impacts the benefits you can receive from them. Mushroom products are created in one of two ways: either by cultivating and harvesting the fruiting bodies of the mushroom or by growing mycelium on a sterilized grain base, known as mycelium on grain (MOG).

To appreciate the significance of these distinctions, let's explore the three stages of a mushroom's lifecycle:

• Mycelium: Resembling a tree's root system, the mycelium is a network of thread-like structures that absorb nutrients. When environmental conditions are favorable, a fruiting body emerges from the mycelium.
• Fruiting Body (Mushroom): This stage occurs when the mushroom has fully grown and becomes visible, like those we purchase from stores.
• Spores: Fruiting bodies produce and release microscopic spores, initiating the reproduction phase. These spores eventually germinate into "hyphae," connect to form a new mycelium network, and restart the life cycle.

Most scientific research on the health benefits of medicinal mushrooms focuses on fruiting bodies, making them the superior choice for mushroom products. When selecting a mushroom product, opt for the active fruiting body.

While a product label might mention "mushroom," it's crucial to confirm whether it refers to the fruit body or mycelium. Examine the Supplement Facts or Nutrition Facts panel for clarity. Honest companies will disclose if their products are mycelium-based.

Herbal-based products must reveal the "plant part" used and any unrelated materials present. If you see grain or myceliated grain in the "Other Ingredients," it's an MOG-based product.

Why do some companies sell MOG products? They are a cheap, quick alternative for manufacturers. However, they contain high amounts of grain starch (alpha-glucans) and low levels of bioactive compounds like beta-glucans. Many US-grown mushroom products are MOG-based.

Mushroom fruiting bodies, in contrast, are cultivated on wood substrates, their natural food source in the wild. Wood substrates provide the ideal nutrition for mushrooms, yielding a healthier, more potent fruiting body. Growing mushrooms on a wood substrate (such as an oak log) closely mimics their natural environment and is called "semi-wild" or "wild-cultivation," following the Di Tao principle.

Allowing the mushroom to grow with minimal human interference, in harmony with nature, results in a stronger, more adaptable mushroom with enhanced benefits.

When choosing a mushroom product, look for 100% pure medicinal mushrooms without added grains, fillers, starch, or mycelium. Be cautious of products that mention being cultured on organic oats or grains, mixed with mycelium biomass. These are lab-made mushrooms, loaded with fillers and lacking in potency.

Is Your Product a Mushroom Powder or Mushroom Extract?

Discover the power of pure mushroom powders (1:1), which outshine mycelium grown on grain (MOG) products in potency and quality. However, nothing compares to the incredible benefits of concentrated mushroom fruiting body extracts.

Elevate your well-being with mushroom extracts crafted from fruiting bodies grown on wood substrates and processed through hot water or dual extraction methods (hot water/alcohol). These extracts deliver unparalleled potency, rich in beta-glucans and an array of essential nutrients.

Experience the magic of Medicinal Mushroom Extract Australia.

For millennia, Asia has embraced the practice of boiling and cooking mushrooms to unlock their remarkable nutritional treasures, a tradition that has long been a staple in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Cooking mushrooms ensures optimal absorption of their diverse array of health-boosting compounds, such as beta-glucans, triterpenoids, sterols, prebiotics, antioxidants, amino acids, polyphenols, proteins, peptides, flavonoids, digestive enzymes, and more.

Raw mushrooms may be tough to digest, but water or alcohol extraction makes their nutrients more bioavailable, resulting in a highly assimilable "tea" or paste with greater potency and a more manageable volume.

Consuming raw mushrooms without extraction forces the body to work harder to access its health-promoting compounds, consuming more energy than it gains in the process.

Mushroom Supplement Blends

Easily add 100% water-soluble mushroom powder extracts to hot or cold water, smoothies, juices, coffee, tea, or your favorite recipes.

Explore the world of mushroom product blends like our medicinal mushroom lattes, a delicious and simple way to incorporate mushrooms into your daily routine – even for kids! Cafes and coffee shops are increasingly offering these nourishing lattes as well.

However, ensure that any blend contains a substantial amount of the actual mushroom extract for maximum benefits. Aim for a minimum of 750 mg per serving to truly experience the transformative effects of these incredible mushrooms.

Indulge in gut-healthy mushroom lattes like our Beetroot Latte Mix with Chaga or the delightful Turmeric Latte Mix with Cordyceps.

Mushrooms Habitat

Did you know that the world's top source for mouthwatering culinary mushrooms and potent health-boosting mushroom extracts is none other than China? With a staggering 85% of the global mushroom supply in 2013 (1), and likely an even higher percentage today, China has become the mushroom capital of the world.

But wait, are you feeling skeptical about Chinese-produced mushrooms?

It's true that the phrase "Made in China" or "Sourced from China" can sometimes make us hesitant, given the country's reputation for pollution, industrial chemicals, and contaminated water sources. However, it's time to set the record straight and debunk this myth.

China is home to numerous reputable and ethical companies that produce some of the finest and most medicinally powerful mushrooms on the planet. With centuries of experience, starting with Shiitake cultivation in the 13th century, China has honed its mushroom-growing techniques to perfection. The result? Chinese mushrooms that boast superior potency, richer bioactive compounds, and a clean, safe profile when sourced from the right Di Tao regions.

In fact, the mushroom supplements grown in the US pale in comparison to their Chinese counterparts. American labs tend to rely on myceliated grain rather than mushroom fruiting bodies, leading to products with lower potency. The harsh truth is that it's not economically feasible for other countries to match China's unparalleled quality, efficacy, and potency in mushroom production.

So, next time you're shopping for mushrooms, remember that China's rich history and expertise make it the ultimate destination for premium, health-enhancing mushrooms.

Can I Trust Chinese Mushrooms?

Rest assured, you can confidently rely on Chinese-grown medicinal mushrooms. Companies offering these products must undergo stringent quality control measures, including testing for heavy metals, aflatoxins, radiation, ethylene oxide (ETO), pesticide residues, and microbiological contaminants. While there may be concerns about falsified results, third-party independent lab verification, such as ACO (Australian Certified Organic), provides the assurance you need.

Discover the Secret of Di Tao: Exceptional Mushrooms from Pristine Regions

The location of your mushrooms' origin within China is crucial. It's not just about whether they're grown in China but specifically where they're cultivated. Naturally, you'll want to avoid mushrooms grown in polluted urban areas. That's why our mushrooms are sourced from the remote, pristine mountains of China, far from industrial pollution.

The finest quality mushrooms come from their native growing sources, known as "Di Tao" locations. For centuries, Chinese medicine has recognized the importance of specific regions and production practices in determining quality and authenticity. This ancient wisdom is captured in the term "daodi medicinal material."

The formation of Di Tao medicinal material involves key natural resources, such as geographic conditions, environmental factors like soil, climate, humidity, and light, which directly impact the secondary metabolites of the medicinal plant or mushroom. Di Tao is a multifaceted concept, encompassing clinical efficacy, appearance, taste, and even genetic differences.

China's vast territory and diverse ecosystems provide abundant botanical and zoological resources, giving rise to a wide variety of daodi medicinal materials. Out of the 500 commonly traded medicinal materials in Chinese herbal medicine, around 200 have specific Di Tao forms. These high-value Di Tao herbs account for about 80% of Chinese herbs in trade.

Choose our meticulously sourced, Di Tao medicinal mushrooms for unparalleled quality and experience the incredible benefits they offer.

Some Examples Of Di Tao Locations (Provinces) of Medicinal Material

Unearth the finest examples of Di Tao locations, where natural treasures like medicinal mushrooms and herbs are sourced:

• Chaga Mushroom: Siberia, Russia
• Cordyceps Mushroom: Tibetan high plains
• Lion's Mane Mushroom: Heilongjiang Province, China
• Reishi Mushroom: Jilin Province, China
• Panax Ginseng: Jilin Province, China
• Pine Pollen: Yunnan Province, China
• Rehmannia Root: Henan Province, China
• Schizandra Berry: Jilin province, China
• Turkey Tail Mushroom: Heilongjiang Province, China
• Di Tao: The Gold Standard in Chinese Herbalism

At Teelixir, we're dedicated to preserving the ancient wisdom of Di Tao sourcing. All our herbs are ethically wild-harvested or organically cultivated in their natural habitats, far from pollution and urbanization. Di Tao is a critical measure of quality, but it's not the only one.

While many Chinese herbs on the market claim Di Tao status, it's essential to look beyond the label. The truth is, the superiority of Di Tao ingredients is not yet fully backed by modern science.

Challenges Facing Di Tao

Unfortunately, Di Tao's reputation has been marred by market adulteration and a lack of scientific guidance. Moreover, climate change, pollution, over-harvesting, and soil degradation pose significant threats to this traditional quality assessment system.

So, how can we verify the purity, potency, and efficacy of these extraordinary Di Tao herbs and mushrooms?

The Answer: Independent Testing & Certification

To ensure you're getting the very best in medicinal ingredients, look for third-party verification from certified organic sources. This extra layer of scrutiny guarantees the highest standards, so you can trust the powerful benefits of these ancient, natural remedies.

 

Reasons to Go With Certified Organic Mushrooms Only

You might be surprised to learn that mushrooms are not included in the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) "Dirty Dozen" list. However, there are plenty of reasons why they should be and why opting for certified organic mushrooms is a wise choice for your health and the environment.

Mushrooms are nature's ultimate recyclers, playing a crucial role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem. They break down complex organic materials into humus, minerals, and nutrients that nourish other plants, animals, and insects. While their ability to clean and recycle is impressive, it also means they can absorb both beneficial and harmful substances from their environment.

In polluted surroundings, mushrooms can take in toxins, chemicals, heavy metals, and other pollutants. Mycologists have long used fungi for mycoremediation, a process that employs fungi to break down or remove environmental contaminants. But would you want to consume mushrooms that have been exposed to such toxins?

As our world becomes increasingly polluted, choosing organic products is a step toward a healthier and more sustainable future. Renowned mycologist Paul Stamets emphasizes the importance of knowing where your mushrooms come from and supporting organic growers to ensure they are free from pollutants.

Certified organic mushrooms offer the assurance that they are grown and harvested in pristine environments, free from harmful toxins, chemicals, and heavy metals. This certification also ensures that the mushrooms are produced without synthetic additives, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and dyes, and are not processed using industrial solvents or irradiation.

By choosing certified organic mushrooms, you can trust that you're consuming a product free from harmful substances, and you can trace the ingredients back to their source for added peace of mind. Make a healthier choice for yourself and the environment by selecting certified organic mushrooms today.

Revealing The Truth Of Certified Organic

When shopping for organic products, it's essential to know the differences between certified organic, organic, and conventional. The term "organic" has become a buzzword that attracts consumers, making us believe we're getting products free from harmful chemicals and pesticides. But without third-party certification (such as ACO in Australia or USDA Organic in the US), the term "organic" can be vague and unregulated.

To ensure you're getting a truly certified organic product, look for verification from certification bodies like the ACO or USDA Organic. This certification process involves a thorough examination of farming practices to ensure that foods and ingredients are free from harmful chemicals and meet high standards.

Research comparing conventional and organic foods can be conflicting, depending on the source. However, two key conclusions favor organic products: they generally have higher nutrient and antioxidant levels, and they significantly reduce exposure to toxins and heavy metals. By choosing certified organic foods, you're also avoiding GMOs and supporting environmentally-friendly farming practices.

Despite the need for more research, there's evidence to suggest that certified organic products offer numerous health and environmental benefits. So, when choosing your next mushroom product, make sure it's certified organic to ensure the highest quality and safety without any biased input from the supplier or brand. With Teelixir, you can trust that our medicinal mushrooms are certified organic, offering the best possible products for your health and well-being.

Checklist For Buyers

• Pure Mushroom Power: Is your mushroom supplement crafted from 100% mushroom fruiting bodies or mycelium cultivated on grain?
• Organic Assurance: Can you trust the purity and potency of your mushroom blend with certified organic ingredients, ensuring cleanliness and enriched nutrient content?
• Authentic Origins: Are your medicinal mushrooms Di Tao sourced or harvested in their native regions for unparalleled quality?
• Safety First: Has your product been rigorously tested for heavy metals, with transparent results readily accessible for your peace of mind?
• Proven Potency: Are the beneficial beta-glucan levels in your supplement verified for optimal health benefits?

 

References

ZZ Zhao, P Guo, E Brand. The formation of daodi medicinal materials. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2012, 140 (3):476-481

Pan, F., 2011. Daodi medicinal material is the essence of Chinese medicine—a review of the 390th session of Xiangshan Science Conference. Science Times, February 28, 2011. Beijing, China.

A. Brinckmanna., 2014. Geographical Indications for Medicinal Plants: Globalization, Climate Change, Quality and Market Implications for Geo-Authentic Botanicals. Modern Research on Chinese Material Medica. DOI: 10.15806/j.issn.2311-8571.2014.0020

Stamets, P., 2008. Mycelium Running: How Mushroom Can Help Save The World.

Organic Foods are Safer and Healthier than Conventional… True or False? https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/09/17/organic-vs-conventional-food.aspx

Barański, M., Rempelos, L., Iversen, P. O., Leifert, C., 2017. Effects of organic food consumption on human health; the jury is still out! Food Nutr Res. 2017; 61(1): 1287333. Published online 2017 Mar 6. doi: 10.1080/16546628.2017.1287333

Organic Foods: Are They Safer? More Nutritious? https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/organic-food/art-20043880

ZZ Zhao, HB Chen. Chinese Medicinal Identification: An Illustrated Approach. Taos: Paradigm Publications. 2014

10 Questions to Ask About Your Mushroom Product. https://www.nammex.com/10-questions-to-ask-about-your-mushroom-supplement/